The three candidates running for an open seat on Alexandria City Council will meet in two forums this week.
For most voters, the upcoming appearances on Wednesday (April 8) and Saturday (April 11) are the last opportunity to see the candidates together before the special election on Tuesday, April 21. The candidates, who last appeared together at a forum on March 26, are Democratic candidate Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and Frank Fannon.
Alexandria’s DASH bus service kicked off April’s Month of the Young Child this morning (Monday) with the unveiling of a bus covered with early childhood development messaging intended to inspire parents.
The bus “takeover” was unveiled at DASH headquarters (3000 Business Center Drive) and includes exterior wraparound messaging and interior display messaging on five principles to help young children thrive. Mayor Alyia Gaskins, DASH CEO Josh Baker and Michelle Smith Howard, CEO of Kids’ First Years, were among approximately 50 children and adults who attended.
The Alexandria Police and Fire Departments responded to two rollover crashes over the weekend, according to radio dispatches.
No injuries were reported in both crashes, which occurred early Friday night (April 3) on W. Glebe Road in Arlandria and Sunday morning (April 5) on Richmond Highway near the Potomac Yard Shopping Center.
The Alexandria Health Department is raising concerns about the rise of tickborne illnesses as spring progresses.
The health department and Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities are partnering for a tick bite prevention campaign this spring, when tick activity increases as temperatures warm. The city is placing 30 educational signs across parks and trails encouraging residents to do tick checks. There will also be educational sessions about tick prevention and giveaways of tick removal tools at the events and the Alexandria Health Department headquarters (4850 Mark Center Drive).
Marian Van Landingham, a former Virginia state delegate, artist and founder of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, died Saturday (April 4). She was 88 years old.
Van Landingham’s cause of death was not disclosed, and funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 6, 1900, the Mayor of Alexandria took time to commend the Alexandria Police for their diligence in protecting Alexandrians through their efficient police methods. Police Officers Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Bettis and Herbert Knight had quickly arrested a young man the night before, who had fired a pistol near Royal and Princess Streets. Faced with this one issue in the Mayor’s courtroom the next morning, and with only three other “lodgers” at the Police station house overnight, the Mayor noted “. . . there is less violation of laws than ever before in the history of the Town.” The pistol-toting man was fined $10 and his gun confiscated. Later that morning, Officer Knight saw even more action when he killed a mad dog on South Fairfax Street. Although not technically on duty, the officer nevertheless responded to the alarm.” [Historic Alexandria]
Duke Street and West Taylor Run Intersection Update — “The City of Alexandria will hold a Design Public Hearing for the Duke Street and West Taylor Run Intersection Improvement Project on Tuesday, April 7, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) facility located at 2900 Business Center Drive.” [City of Alexandria]
A sheriff’s deputy was fired after attempting to smuggle drugs into the jail Saturday, according to the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said former Deputy Sheriff Amarachukwu W. Igwe tried to provide drugs to an inmate at the jail. After an investigation, the sheriff’s office took Igwe into custody before she could deliver the drugs.
Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 3, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect mostly sunny weather with a slight chance of showers after 2 p.m., reaching a high near 85°F with a southwest wind at 6 to 10 mph. Saturday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 64°F and a south wind at 10 to 15 mph, gusting up to 24 mph. There’s a slight chance of showers before 8 p.m. and a 30% chance of showers after 2 a.m. See more from Weather.gov.
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
– Alan Kay
We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!
A 28-year-old D.C. man is being held without bond after allegedly breaking into a food truck parked at a storage facility on Eisenhower Avenue last month, according to a recently-released Alexandria Police search warrant affidavit.
The suspect has been held without bond since his arrest in the early morning hours of Monday, March 2. Just before midnight, the Alexandria Police Department responded to a storage facility in the 4900 block of Eisenhower Avenue for a larceny from a vehicle call. The victim told police he could see someone in a construction vest inside his food truck on a surveillance camera, according to the search warrant affidavit.
No injuries have been reported after gunshots were fired in the Alexandria West neighborhood yesterday (Thursday), according to police.
Officers responded to the shots fired report in the area of Reading Avenue and Winston Court around 7 p.m. Police radio dispatches indicate officers received multiple calls about a group of males wearing hoodies, other dark-colored clothing and ski masks fleeing the area of the Shops at Mark Center shopping center. One caller reported hearing at least three gunshots.
City Meeting on Youth Sports Facilities — “The City will host a community meeting to discuss and receive public feedback on youth sports and access to athletic facilities through the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) on Monday, April 13 at 7 p.m.” [Alexandria Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities]
Reminder on Ballot Drop Boxes —”Our official ballot drop box is located in front of our office at 132 N Royal Street, and it’s open all day, every day until 7pm on Election Day (April 21.) Election officers check the drop box every 24 hours.” [Alexandria Office of Voter Registration & Elections/Facebook]
